Methods and devices for fluid driven adult devices

Abstract

A device for use by an individual for sexual pleasure varying in form, i.e. shape, during its use and allowing for the user to select multiple variations of form either discretely or in combination and for these dynamic variations to be controllable simultaneously and interchangeably while being transparent to the normal use of the device, including the ability to insert, withdraw, rotate, and actuate the variable features manually or remotely. According to embodiments of the invention localized and global variations of devices are implemented using fluidics and electromagnetic pumps/valves wherein a fluid is employed such that controlling the pressure of the fluid results in the movement of an element within the device or the expansion/contraction of an element within the device.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A sexual stimulation device comprising:
 a fluidic control system comprising at least a pump and a control circuit electrically connected to the pump; 
 a plurality of fluidic actuators, each fluidic actuator providing a predetermined action as the result of an increase or decrease of pressure within the fluidic actuator; and 
 a plurality of valves, each valve electrically connected to the control circuit and fluidically coupled to the pump and a predetermined group of the plurality of fluidic actuators and controlling fluid flow at least one of into and from the predetermined group of the plurality of fluidic actuators; wherein 
 a first predetermined subset of the plurality of fluidic actuators are disposed within an outer portion of the sexual stimulation device comprising a plurality of regions wherein each fluidic actuator of the first predetermined subset of the fluidic actuators is associated with a predetermined region of the plurality of regions; and 
 a second predetermined subset of the plurality of fluidic actuators are disposed within an inner portion of the sexual stimulation device comprising a plurality of sections wherein each fluidic actuator of the second predetermined subset of the fluidic actuators is associated with a predetermined section of the plurality of sections; wherein 
 operation of the pump and the plurality of fluidic valves under the action of the control circuit provides for programmable adjustment in at least one of an operating mode of the sexual stimulation device, operating parameters of an operating mode of the sexual stimulation device, an overall dimension or dimensions of the sexual stimulation device, an overall shape of the sexual stimulation device, and a geometric configuration of the sexual stimulation device; 
 a first fluidic actuator of the plurality of fluidic actuators is formed within a predetermined region of a surface of the outer portion together with a second fluidic actuator of the plurality of fluidic actuators; 
 at least one of the material properties and dimensions of the outer region around the first fluidic actuator allow the first fluidic actuator to expand away from the surface of the outer region with an increase of fluid pressure within the first fluidic actuator; 
 at least one of the material properties and dimensions of the outer portion around the second fluidic actuator restrict the second fluidic actuator to expanding generally along the surface of the outer portion; and 
 when selectively actuated the first fluidic actuator and second fluidic actuator are configured to provide:
 in a first predetermined sequence, for pressure to be applied to a predetermined region of an individual's body when in contact with the predetermined region of the outer portion of the device under the action of the first fluidic actuator and for the predetermined region of individual's body to which the pressure is applied to move under the action of the second fluidic actuator before the pressure is removed under a reverse action of the first fluidic actuator and a reverse action of the second fluidic actuator returns the fluidic actuator to its original position allowing the first predetermined sequence to be repeated; 
 in a second predetermined sequence, for the predetermined region of the outer portion to be initially translated relative to a predetermined region of an individual's body in contact with the outer portion of the device under action of the second fluidic actuator before pressure is applied to the predetermined region of the individual's body in contact with the predetermined region of the outer portion of the device under the action of the first fluidic actuator and the predetermined region of individual's body to which the pressure is applied is changed under a reverse action of the second fluidic actuator and then removed under a reverse action of the first fluidic actuator allowing the second predetermined sequence to be repeated; wherein 
 the range of motion under the action of the second fluidic actuator can be set to a predetermined value between the minimum extension and the maximum extension. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The sexual stimulation device according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the pump, plurality of valves and plurality of actuators are part of a self-contained fluidic system forming part of the sexual stimulation device; and 
 the fluidic control system further comprises:
 a fluidic capacitor coupled to at least one of an input and an output of the pump to dampen the variations in pressure arising within the fluidic system due to the action of the pump; wherein 
 the fluidic capacitor comprises an elastic portion wherein the elastic portion deforms under activation of the pump in a manner such that the pump is drawing from the fluidic capacitor when the fluidic capacitor is on an inlet side port of the pump or pumping into the fluidic capacitor when the fluidic capacitor is on an outlet side port of the pump. 
 
 
     
     
       3. The sexual stimulation device according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the device under the action of the fluidic control system is at least one of:
 configured to mechanically simulate the action of a first predetermined region of a first human body; and 
 configured to mechanically simulate the action of a first predetermined region of a first human body interacting with a second predetermined region of a second human body. 
 
 
     
     
       4. The sexual stimulation device according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the pump and control circuit provide the fluid at a first pumping frequency to actuate the plurality of fluidic actuators and at a second pumping frequency to vibrate the plurality of fluidic actuators at the second frequency; wherein 
 the second frequency can be set independent of the first frequency. 
 
     
     
       5. The sexual stimulation device according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the pump comprises a first pump to pump the fluid under pressure to the fluidic actuator of the plurality of fluidic actuators to actuate the fluidic actuator of the plurality of fluidic actuators; and 
 a second pump to provide frequency dependent pressure modulation to the pumped fluid from the first pump such that the fluidic actuator of the plurality of fluidic actuators vibrates in addition to being actuated by the pumped fluid under pressure arising from the action of the first pump, wherein 
 the first pump is at least one of an electromagnetically controlled pump and a positive displacement pump; and the 
 second pump is an electromagnetically controlled pump. 
 
     
     
       6. The sexual stimulation device according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the fluidic control system comprises a first portion of the sexual stimulation device; 
 the plurality of valves and the plurality of actuators form part of a second portion of the sexual stimulation device; and 
 the second portion of the sexual stimulation device can be detached and re-attached to the first portion of the sexual stimulation device. 
 
     
     
       7. The sexual stimulation device according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the fluidic control system is configured to operate continuously when the sexual stimulation device is turned on; and 
 the plurality of valves are electrically controlled and may be modulated continuously by the control circuit such that each predetermined group of the plurality of fluidic actuators associated with a set of valves of the plurality of valves may be maintained at an intermediate predetermined fill level between a predetermined minimum fill and a predetermined maximum fill. 
 
     
     
       8. The sexual stimulation device according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the device in operation is configured to provide mechanical and vibratory stimulation to a predetermined region of an individual's body, the predetermined region being one of a clitoris, a vagina, a rectum, a nipple, a breast, a penis, a testicle, a prostate gland, and a “G-spot”. 
 
     
     
       9. The sexual stimulation device according to  claim 1 , further comprising
 a microprocessor and a non-volatile non-transitory memory forming part of the control circuit; 
 a user interface coupled to the microprocessor allowing a user to select or create a profile of a plurality of profiles associated with the sexual stimulation device and allowing the user to select at least one of a variation in the device and an aspect of a variation in the device to be personalized by the user and a stop command; wherein 
 upon determining selection of at least one of the variation in the device and an aspect of the variation in the device the microprocessor is configured to control at least one of the pump and the plurality of valves such that a predetermined subset of the plurality of fluidic actuators associated with the at least one of the selected variation of the device and an aspect of the variation in the device are set into a plurality of states, each state of the plurality of states associated with a series of sequential settings of the at least one of a variation in the device and an aspect of a variation in the device between a first predetermined value and a second predetermined value in a predetermined number of steps; 
 upon determining selection of the stop command, terminating the microprocessor configuring the device into the plurality of states and storing data relating to the state of the plurality of states within the selected or created profile of the plurality of profiles for subsequent configuration of the sexual stimulation device to a preferred state of the user. 
 
     
     
       10. The sexual stimulation device according to  claim 9 , wherein
 the user interface further allows the user to at least one of:
 select at least one of all other aspects relating to the variation in the device, for all other variations in the device, and for any other variation in the device; 
 transmit at least one of the stored data relating to the state of the plurality of states and the profile of the plurality of profiles to a remote device for at least one of subsequent transmittal to the sexual stimulation device, execution by the remote device to control the sexual stimulation device, transmittal to another device associated with the user, and transmittal to another device associated with another individual; 
 select another action of the sexual stimulation device to personalize; 
 select at least one of a variation in the device and an aspect of a variation in the device to be personalized during use of the device; and 
 select at least one of a variation in the device and an aspect of a variation in the device to be personalized whilst the device is inserted into an orifice of a human body without activation of any other aspect or function of the sexual stimulation device. 
 
 
     
     
       11. The sexual stimulation device according to  claim 9 , wherein
 the variation in the device is at least one of:
 a variation in an overall dimension of a predetermined portion of the device; 
 a variation in an overall geometry of a predetermined portion of the device; 
 variation of a predetermined region of the plurality of regions; 
 variation of a section of the plurality of sections; 
 an amplitude of motion of the pump; and 
 a frequency of motion of the pump. 
 
 
     
     
       12. The sexual stimulation device according to  claim 1 , wherein
 a fluidic actuator within the first predetermined subset of the plurality of fluidic actuators can only expand along the surface of the outer region; and 
 when selectively actuated the fluidic actuator within the first predetermined subset of the plurality of fluidic actuators moves relative to a predetermined region of an individual's body and applies translational pressure and motion of the outer region of the sexual stimulation device relative to the predetermined region of the individual's body according to a predetermined pattern established under the control of the control circuit absent motion of the overall sexual stimulation device relative to the individual's body. 
 
     
     
       13. The sexual stimulation device according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the pump and the control circuit form a first part of the device that is either permanently connected or demountably connected to the remainder of the device. 
 
     
     
       14. The sexual stimulation device according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the sexual stimulation device has a predetermined geometry established in dependence upon at least one of the physical shape and physical location of a region of a human body, the region at least one of a clitoris, a vagina, a rectum, a nipple, a breast, a penis, a testicle, a prostate gland, and a “G-spot”. 
 
     
     
       15. The sexual stimulation device according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the control circuit is configured to provide programmable adjustment of an overall dimension or dimensions of the sexual stimulation device; and 
 the adjustment is at least one of an increase and a reduction in the overall dimension or dimensions of the sexual stimulation device. 
 
     
     
       16. The sexual stimulation device according to  claim 1 , further comprising
 a microprocessor forming part of the control circuit and a non-volatile non-transitory memory in communication with the microprocessor; and 
 a user interface coupled to the microprocessor allowing a user to select a stored configuration of the sexual stimulation device; wherein 
 the stored configuration was previously established by the user as a preferred configuration; 
 the memory stores data relating to the stored configuration of the sexual stimulation device; 
 the microprocessor in dependence upon the data configures the pump and the plurality of valves such that the first predetermined subset of the plurality of fluidic actuators within the outer region of the sexual stimulation device and the second predetermined subset of the plurality of fluidic actuators within the inner region of the sexual stimulation device are each configured according to the user's preferred configuration. 
 
     
     
       17. A sexual stimulation device comprising:
 a fluidic control system comprising at least a pump and a control circuit electrically connected to the pump; 
 a plurality of fluidic actuators, each fluidic actuator providing a predetermined action as the result of an increase or decrease of pressure within the fluidic actuator; 
 a plurality of valves, each valve electrically connected to the control circuit and fluidically coupled to the pump and a predetermined group of the plurality of fluidic actuators and controlling fluid flow at least one of into and from the predetermined group of the plurality of fluidic actuators; 
 a microprocessor and a non-volatile non-transitory memory forming part of the control circuit; and 
 a user interface coupled to the microprocessor allowing a user to select or create a profile of a plurality of profiles associated with the sexual stimulation device and allowing the user to select at least one of a variation in the device and an aspect of a variation in the device to be personalized by the user and a stop command; wherein 
 a first predetermined subset of the plurality of fluidic actuators are disposed within an outer portion of the sexual stimulation device comprising a plurality of regions wherein each fluidic actuator of the first predetermined subset of the fluidic actuators is associated with a predetermined region of the plurality of regions; 
 a second predetermined subset of the plurality of fluidic actuators are disposed within an inner portion of the sexual stimulation device comprising a plurality of sections wherein each fluidic actuator of the second predetermined subset of the fluidic actuators is associated with a predetermined section of the plurality of sections; 
 operation of the pump and the plurality of fluidic valves under the action of the control circuit provides for programmable adjustment in at least one of an operating mode of the sexual stimulation device, operating parameters of an operating mode of the sexual stimulation device, an overall dimension or dimensions of the sexual stimulation device, an overall shape of the sexual stimulation device, and a geometric configuration of the sexual stimulation device; and 
 upon determining selection of at least one of the variation in the device and an aspect of the variation in the device the microprocessor is configured to control at least one of the pump and the plurality of valves such that a predetermined subset of the plurality of fluidic actuators associated with the at least one of the selected variation of the device and an aspect of the variation in the device are set into a plurality of states, each state of the plurality of states associated with a series of sequential settings of the at least one of a variation in the device and an aspect of a variation in the device between a first predetermined value and a second predetermined value in a predetermined number of steps; and 
 upon determining selection of the stop command, terminating the microprocessor configuring the device into the plurality of states and storing data relating to the state of the plurality of states within the selected or created profile of the plurality of profiles for subsequent configuration of the sexual stimulation device to a preferred state of the user. 
 
     
     
       18. The sexual stimulation device according to  claim 17 , wherein
 the pump, plurality of valves and plurality of actuators are part of a self-contained fluidic system forming part of the sexual stimulation device; and 
 the fluidic control system further comprises:
 a fluidic capacitor coupled to at least one of an input and an output of the pump to dampen the variations in pressure arising within the fluidic system due to the action of the pump; wherein 
 the fluidic capacitor comprises an elastic portion wherein the elastic portion deforms under activation of the pump in a manner such that the pump is drawing from the fluidic capacitor when the fluidic capacitor is on an inlet side port of the pump or pumping into the fluidic capacitor when the fluidic capacitor is on an outlet side port of the pump. 
 
 
     
     
       19. The sexual stimulation device according to  claim 17 , wherein
 the device under the action of the fluidic control system is at least one of:
 configured to mechanically simulate the action of a first predetermined region of a first human body; and 
 configured to mechanically simulate the action of a first predetermined region of a first human body interacting with a second predetermined region of a second human body. 
 
 
     
     
       20. The sexual stimulation device according to  claim 17 , wherein
 the pump and control circuit provide the fluid at a first pumping frequency to actuate the plurality of fluidic actuators and at a second pumping frequency to vibrate the plurality of fluidic actuators at the second frequency; wherein 
 the second frequency can be set independent of the first frequency. 
 
     
     
       21. The sexual stimulation device according to  claim 17 , wherein
 the pump comprises a first pump to pump the fluid under pressure to the fluidic actuator of the plurality of fluidic actuators to actuate the fluidic actuator of the plurality of fluidic actuators; and 
 a second pump to provide frequency dependent pressure modulation to the pumped fluid from the first pump such that the fluidic actuator of the plurality of fluidic actuators vibrates in addition to being actuated by the pumped fluid under pressure arising from the action of the first pump, wherein 
 the first pump is at least one of an electromagnetically controlled pump and a positive displacement pump; and the 
 second pump is an electromagnetically controlled pump. 
 
     
     
       22. The sexual stimulation device according to  claim 17 , wherein
 the fluidic control system comprises a first portion of the sexual stimulation device; 
 the plurality of valves and the plurality of actuators form part of a second portion of the sexual stimulation device; and 
 the second portion of the sexual stimulation device can be detached and re-attached to the first portion of the sexual stimulation device. 
 
     
     
       23. The sexual stimulation device according to  claim 17 , wherein
 the fluidic control system is configured to operate continuously when the sexual stimulation device is turned on; and 
 the plurality of valves are electrically controlled and may be modulated continuously by the control circuit such that each predetermined group of the plurality of fluidic actuators associated with a set of valves of the plurality of valves may be maintained at an intermediate predetermined fill level between a predetermined minimum fill and a predetermined maximum fill. 
 
     
     
       24. The sexual stimulation device according to  claim 17 , wherein
 the device in operation is configured to provide mechanical and vibratory stimulation to a predetermined region of an individual's body, the predetermined region being one of a clitoris, a vagina, a rectum, a nipple, a breast, a penis, a testicle, a prostate gland, and a “G-spot”. 
 
     
     
       25. The sexual stimulation device according to  claim 17 , wherein
 the user interface further allows the user to at least one of:
 select at least one of all other aspects relating to the variation in the device, for all other variations in the device, and for any other variation in the device; 
 transmit at least one of the stored data relating to the state of the plurality of states and the profile of the plurality of profiles to a remote device for at least one of subsequent transmittal to the sexual stimulation device, execution by the remote device to control the sexual stimulation device, transmittal to another device associated with the user, and transmittal to another device associated with another individual; 
 select another action of the sexual stimulation device to personalize; 
 select at least one of a variation in the device and an aspect of a variation in the device to be personalized during use of the device; and 
 select at least one of a variation in the device and an aspect of a variation in the device to be personalized whilst the device is inserted into an orifice of a human body without activation of any other aspect or function of the sexual stimulation device. 
 
 
     
     
       26. The sexual stimulation device according to  claim 17 , wherein
 a fluidic actuator within the first predetermined subset of the plurality of fluidic actuators can only expand along the surface of the outer region; and 
 when selectively actuated the fluidic actuator within the first predetermined subset of the plurality of fluidic actuators moves relative to a predetermined region of an individual's body and applies translational pressure and motion of the outer region of the sexual stimulation device relative to the predetermined region of the individual's body according to a predetermined pattern established under the control of the control circuit absent motion of the overall sexual stimulation device relative to the individual's body. 
 
     
     
       27. The sexual stimulation device according to  claim 17 , wherein
 at least one of:
 the pump and the control circuit form a first part of the device that is either permanently connected or demountably connected to the remainder of the device; and 
 the sexual stimulation device has a predetermined geometry established in dependence upon at least one of the physical shape and physical location of a region of a human body, the region at least one of a clitoris, a vagina, a rectum, a nipple, a breast, a penis, a testicle, a prostate gland, and a “G-spot”. 
 
 
     
     
       28. The sexual stimulation device according to  claim 17 , wherein
 the variation in the device is at least one of:
 a variation in an overall dimension of a predetermined portion of the device; 
 a variation in an overall geometry of a predetermined portion of the device; 
 variation of a predetermined region of the plurality of regions; 
 variation of a section of the plurality of sections; 
 an amplitude of motion of the pump; and 
 a frequency of motion of the pump. 
 
 
     
     
       29. The sexual stimulation device according to  claim 17 , wherein
 the control circuit is configured to provide programmable adjustment of an overall dimension or dimensions of the sexual stimulation device; and 
 the adjustment is at least one of an increase and a reduction in the overall dimension or dimensions of the sexual stimulation device. 
 
     
     
       30. The sexual stimulation device according to  claim 17 , wherein
 a user interface allows the user to select a stored configuration of the sexual stimulation device; wherein 
 the stored configuration was previously established by the user as a preferred configuration; 
 the memory stores data relating to the stored configuration of the sexual stimulation device; 
 the microprocessor in dependence upon the stored data relating to the stored configuration configures the pump and the plurality of valves such that the first predetermined subset of the plurality of fluidic actuators within the outer region of the sexual stimulation device and the second predetermined subset of the plurality of fluidic actuators within the inner region of the sexual stimulation device are each configured according to the user's preferred configuration.